geoffbassist

Great news Peter. I have only heard good things about Acoustic Image's customer service.

I just make sure I'm careful and patient when I'm moving it about on gigs, especially outdoors. Otherwise thats it.

Look out for radiators, direct sunlight, leaving it in very hot cars, careful moving through doorways, careful not to have amps leaning against it in the car, careful when using a wheel, fight to get somewhere safe to put it down when you are on gigs.....and never lean your bass against any kind of door.

I would imagine it will the same experience as your current bass, except you are more cautious.

[quote name='SevenSeas' timestamp='1379802734' post='2217005']
If the prices are going to be in my range £5,500.... then I think not trying them out would be foolish.

Haha what is this expression, double bass gas?
[/quote]

Gear Acquisition Syndrome. We all tend to suffer from it on here :-)

Those are some LOW notes! Nice one Ian, you have a really cool bass!

That sounds terrible. Im really sorry to hear that as an amp and pickup going down on the same gig sounds like a MAJOR stress. Good luck getting them fixed. I know both companies have great customer service and hope they help you get up and running again.

[quote name='ShergoldSnickers' timestamp='1379786726' post='2216804']
If I get time Geoff, I'll get a decent mic out and record it. I want to play around with mic positioning anyway, and this gives me the perfect excuse.
[/quote]

Sounds like a good job for a Sunday afternoon Ian! :-)
I just want to hear that low B!

I think Phil and Rabbie's posts are spot on. The problem is that EUB's and DB are both great, but very different in terms of feel and sound.

The main thing is to get an instrument set up properly and get a few lessons to start out on the right track. EUB or DB is a personal decision, but for me I just love the acoustic sound/feel so that would be my preference. I have a student with a plywood bass that is set up really well and it sounds amazing. He got it for £400 and its good enough to play on gigs, recording etc.. It does take a bit of luck as there are plenty of rubbish basses out there, but its amazing what a new set of strings and a proper set up will do.

My best tip would be to find a teacher locally and ask if they know of any instruments for sale. Perhaps have a taster lesson and use their bass to get started. It would give you a much better idea of if you like it.

Thanks for sharing that video, what a great guy.... but it's not helping my double bass gas! I would love a trip to the workshop to try some basses, especially the Venezia and solo model.

Does anyone have a price list for the Emanuel Wilfer basses? They look really good and have a solid rep as a top european maker.

Beautiful instrument Ian! Thanks for sharing. It's so good that it's being played again. What's the low B like. I have a feeling you will say its HUGE!

I like the Westbury and had a friend who used it on the classical course I was on. It was a nice little bass but I don't know if it would work for jazz though as it was set up for orchestra playing. Eastman have a good reputation, but I haven't played one.

One of the really hard things about bass hunting is that when you do find one and go and play it, they usually have a terrible set up and strings meaning you really cant tell anyway. It really is a crazy instrument :-)

I'm a big Evah Weich fan. I go through phases of string swapping, but I really like these and always come back.

Great news Ian, she/you sound great!

It must feel really good to get such a lovely instrument back making music again! It would be great to see some pics.

[quote name='Hector' timestamp='1379500130' post='2213323']
Ear training can be a huge ballache, but that feeling of being able to hear stuff on the gig is unbeatable!
[/quote]

HUGE +1

Hey guys, just to let you know I have a new lesson out today. It's about how to use the neck heel to play across the fingerboard, rather than just moving up and down the G string. This really helps with intonation issues in the middle of the neck.

There's also a pretty easy blues piece in there to give you something fun to practice the technique with.

I hope you enjoy it.
Cheers Geoff

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rstwR2rnaEQ[/media]

[quote name='Hector' timestamp='1379493207' post='2213212']
Hope the recovery goes well Pete!

Have you considered some ear training while you're laid up? Heaving intervals clearly can really help with intonation, at least as much so as physical technique.
[/quote]

+1 Great suggestion, I used to practice with an ear training and rhythm training apps. They can both be quite addictive!
There's also a lot of good free ear training websites like this one: http://www.musictheory.net/exercises/ear-interval

I know what you mean about this. I would love a better instrument, but would I spend the whole time worrying about it on gigs...very possibly. I think 2 basses is the only sensible answer ;-)

I'm with Bilbo on this. IMO the only thing that really matters in an instrument in any context is quality of sound and an even response across the strings. I do know people who have 2 basses and use one for beater gigs and the better one for everything else though.... Whatever works for your needs I guess.... and although I have one bass I would love another! :-)

Hey Pete, good luck for a speedy recovery. Cheers Geoff

[quote name='MandShef' timestamp='1379352833' post='2211635']
With Sheffield Philharmonic, tackling Mahler 5 I think. The four basses got to sit centre stage on a raised platform, instead of being hidden at the back for a change!
[/quote]

cool! I bet that sounded amazing.

Congratulations that sounds like an incredible first gig!

[quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1379352423' post='2211619']
I am having a wrist Op tomorrow so I will have to be a passive learner for a few weeks,
[/quote]

I'm sorry to hear that Pete, good luck I hope it goes smoothly.
Back in 2008 I had carpel tunnel problems and ended up having the relief op on both hands. It worked out really well for me in the end, but was a big worry at the time. I hope you get up and running soon. :-)

....on a side note whenever I do take a break from playing I always worry I will forget it all, but it actually helps refresh me and gives my playing a boost.

[quote name='oggiesnr' timestamp='1379099158' post='2208764']
Thanks for the lessons Geoff, I'm slowly working my way through them but on first pass through I've already picked up a couple of technical points that are helping (supporting the little finger for example).

I'm also using your exercise from the e-book, especially the studies in fourths, fifths and octaves, to support my quest to get my thumb moving in the right position rather than lagging behind up the neck.

Thanks again,

Steve
[/quote]

Glad it's helping Steve and thanks for the feedback. I hope you enjoy the exercises. I find the 4th's really tricky, but well worth doing.

@nottswarwick a huge +1 on Pete's advice to get started. Most bassists use 3/4 size and that's definitely what I would suggest.

I'm a big fan of the Alpher basses team, they make really great instruments and I bet yours will be superb! I also love the wizard pickups and had a student this week who made his own bass and it sounded killer!
Congratulations on the new bass!

that looks amazing! Congratulations and enjoy!